News

Nettie Edmondson Clinches Final Spot on the Podium in Eastern Gardens

Thu 2 Jan 2014

Nettie Edmondson rounded out the podium for ORICA-AIS in Geelong’s Eastern Gardens on the second stage of the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic. An early acceleration netted Chloe Hosking (Roxsolt) the win ahead of stage one winner Giorgia Bronzini (Wiggle Honda). The Italian retains her overall lead with a three point advantage on Hosking. Edmondson sits one point further behind in third overall.

Compared to the race of attrition that opened the four day series on Thursday, the second day of racing was a tame affair. With few teams willing to go on the attack, the peloton nearly stayed together from start to finish. In the only move to gain any distance from the field, new recruit Valentina Scandolara attacked with five laps left to race. Scandolara’s solo move prompted an injection in pace by the peloton, who swallowed up her up ahead of the penultimate lap.

“Today’s race wasn’t as aggressive as it probably should have been,” said Sport Director Gene Bates. “We made a concerted team effort to break things up early, which really didn’t work. If no one else wants to go with the attacks, it makes things difficult. The race had a bit of a negative feel to it.”

“It was a bit of a surprise after yesterday’s fast, attacking race,” Bates noted. “I think some riders were cautious ahead of tomorrow’s Portarlington course. It’s a much harder circuit.”

With the field readying for a bunch kick, the ORICA-AIS sprint train came to fore. After Edmondson finished second yesterday, the team had tweaked the train, hoping the changes would catapult their sprinter to the top step of the podium.

“We set up our lead-out, but it was a drag race of a finish in the end,” Bates explained. “The finishing stretch is long and straight and slightly uphill before the line. There was a bit of a headwind today. Hosking went early. She jumped right into the gutter. It was a scramble for her wheel after that.”

Hosking handily took the win with a slight gap over Bronzini and Edmondson. Gracie Elvin, riding for Jayco National Team at the Mitchelton Bay Cycling Classic, was best of the rest in fourth place.

“I’m happy with how the team race, but I think we can do more work with the lead out train,” Bates said. “We’re still working out the order. I think by tomorrow we should have it sorted.”

“The girls rode well together today,” he added. “I think we’ll see a lot more from them in the next two days.”